Table control for hydraulic machine tools



R. E. HERRSTRUM 2 ,542,519

TABLE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 20, 1951 Filed May 15, 1947 Feb. 20, 1951 Filed May 15, 1947 TABLE CONTROL E. HERRSTRUM FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS .5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Feb. 20, 1951 R. E. HERRSTRUM 2,542,519

TABLE CONTROL FORl-IYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS Filed May 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 20, 1951 R. E. HERRSTRUM ,5

TABLE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS Filed May 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 m m Y J 0 0 Z w M m .5 I 9 m 7 W v 7 4 A. v i/7 27772474- M I! 1 I Y m QT..- l l 4. a H I l ,1 A M .I u 0 u w f a v I I a /4g M 1 .LFHNIIIIIII will??? A z w 070 W Feb. 20, 1951 HERRSTRUM 2,542,519

TABLE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS Filed May 15, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 20, 1951 TABLE CONTROL FOR HYDRAULIC MACHINE TOOLS Rudolph E. Herrstrum, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Rockford Machine Tool Company, Rockford, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 15, 1947, Serial No. 748,253

8 Claims.

This invention relates to machine tools, and

more particularly to a hydraulically driven machine tool of the shaper or planer type.

It is an object of this invent on to provide new and novel feed means in a machine tool of the class described for imparting traverse or vertical ntoverrent to the work carrying table, the means being synchronized with the reciprocation of the cutting member.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in a machine tool of the shaper type, means for effect ng a rapid traverse or vertical movement of the work table in a simple and expedient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide the table of a shaper with feed means including overrunning clutch devices in order that rapid traverse or vertical movement may be had without d sengaging the synchronized feed movement.

A further object of the invent on is to incorporate the control of the traverse or vertical feed and the rapid traverse 01' vertical motion into a single manually actuable lever.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a s de elevation of a shaper embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. '1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of a portion of the cross rail assembly;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the cross rail assembly;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sect on of the cross rail assembly along lines 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section along lines 6--6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the overrunning clutch assembly; and

Fgs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views of the hydraulic circuit.

While my invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail one such embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invent'on to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

For purposes of disclosure the invention, while relating generally to hydraulic machine tools having a first reciprocable carriage and a second carriage intermittently fed across the path of the first carriage and in timed relationship with the reciprocations thereof, one of the carriages supporting a tool and the other a work piece, is here shown and will be described hereinafter as embodied in a shaper. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, such a shaper 20 has a column 2! resting upon an elongated base "22. Reciprocable longitudinaliy of the base in ways 23 formed on the top of the column is'a tool carry ng member or ram 24 equipped at its forward end with conventional mechanism 25 for adjustablysupporting a tool. The ram 24 has a forward cutting or feed stroke and a rearward or return stroke, and is reciprocated by a hydraulic motor, which motor and hydraulic circuit will be hereinafter more fully described. Located at the front of the machine is the work supportng unit or table comprising a rail 26 mounted for vertical sliding movement on ways 2l fOllT'Ed on the front face of the co umn 2|, and a table 28 supported on the rail 26 for movement traversely of the base and of the path of recprocation of the ram 24. The rail 26 is adjusted vertically to posit on the work with respect to the tool by means of the well known telescoping screw and nut arrangement 29 which may be actuated by manual rotation of a shaft 30 having a lead screw portion rojecting from the right hand end of the rail. Movement of the table 28 in either direction traversely of the path of reciprocation of the ram 24 may be imparted manually by rotat on of a shaft 31 s milarly provided with a lead screw portion. Both vertical and traverse movement of the table may be imparted automatcally in timed relation with reciprocation of the ram by a hydraulic motor generally designated 32.

O erating fluid, cil being commonly employed, is supplied to the var ous motors by a pump 33 of'the constant disp acement type, located within the column 2i and driven at a constant speed by an electric motor 34 mounted in the rear of the bed. The pump is a double pump, that is, comprises two constant displacement pumps built together, the larger for driving the ram, and the smaller for pilot and feed adjustment. The pumps drive fluid from a reservoir from the bottom of the column (not shown) and discharge the flu d into a main actuating circu t and into the auxiliary circuits. The fluid in the circuits is controlled to obtain the movements of the various parts described above by manually and automatically operable valves by means of which the shaper may be started manually after which the ram will be continuously reciorocated at selected feed rates, and the work table will be fed traversely or vertically intermittently intime relation with the reciprocation of the ram, with the operation of the shaper continuing in this manner until manually arrested.

The hydraulic circuit is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and includes a hydraulic motor 36 having a piston 31' reciprocable therein, the'piston being connected by rod 38 and torque arm 39' for reciprocation of the ram 24, the torque arm 39 being more fullydescribed and claimed in my copending application filed May 15, 1947, as Serial No. 748,252,. and now Patent No. 2,512,019. granted June 20, I950.

Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered from the pump 33 to a stop and. go valve 49 by means of a conduit 4|. The stop and go valve comprises a bore 4la having a valve 42 slidabl'e therein. The valve is provided with two end portions 43 and 44, the valve stem protruding from the left hand end of the bore to provide the portion 45 for manually setting the valve 49. Two spaced lands 4!; and 41 are provided: intermediate the ends of the valve defining reduced portions 48', 4'9 and 59 therebetweem The previously mentioned conduit 41- connects with the interior of the valve by means of an annular groove i. Three additional annular grooves 52, 53 and 54 are provided to the left of the groove 5-! while two other annular grooves 55 and 56- are to the right of the groove 5!. Annular grooves 53 52 and 55 connect by means of passages 51, 58 and 59 with a; four-way valve 60.

The four-way valve 99 includes abore 61 having a valve 52 slidable' therein, the valve having two end portions 53 and 55 and a single land 55 intermediate the ends defining the reduced portions 69 and 6! therebetween'. Annular groove 68 connects with the passage 51 while annular grooves 5 9 and i9 connect with the passages 58 and 59, respectively. Two additional annular grooves H and 12 are also provided in the bore.

With the stop and go' valve 40 in the position shown in Fig. 8, fluid under pressure from the pump 33 is directed by means of conduit 4! to the annular groove 5|, reduced portion 49, annular groove 52, passage 58, annular groove 69, reduced portion 67 and the annular groove H to a conduit 13 and thence to the right hand end of the cylinder 36 to reciprocate the piston to the left. as viewed in that figure. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is also delivered by the pump through conduit E4 to pilot valve '55 and thence via conduit '56 to the right hand end of the four-way valve 59 to move it to the position shown in Figure 8. Fluid under pressure is also delivered from the conduit into the conduit 1! and into the right hand end of the feed cylinder I8 to move a piston 19 therein to the left, as shown. Hydraulic fluid in the left hand ends of the feed cylinder '38 and the four-way valve 55 are returned by conduits 8i] and BI to the pilot valve and thence by conduit 82 to the sump. Fluid is returned from the left hand end of the cylinder 36 through the conduit 93,. annular groove E2, reduced portion 96, annular groove 68, passage 5?, annular groove 53, reduced portion 59, annular groove 54 and conduit 86 to a back pressure valve 87. The back pressure valve is designed to maintain a predetermined amount of back pressure in the system to insure smooth operation of the ram. Fluid then passes through conduit 58 to the sump.

When the ram 24 is moved to the left the de sired stroke, the pilot valve 15 is rotated approximately 90 by the reversing dogs 83 and 84 pro vided on the ram. Rotation of the pilot valve moves it to the position shown in Fig. 9. Control fluid from the pump 33 will then flow through conduit 14, pilot valve '55 into the conduits 8i and 89 to reciprocate the piston '19 in the feed cylinder and also to move the four-way valve to the right to the position shown in Fig. 9. Hydraulic fluid from thev right hand end of the four-way valve and from the feed cylinder is returned by conduits i5 and 82 to the sump.

With the four-way valve in the position shown irrFig'.9, operating hydraulic fluid from the pump passes through conduit 4|, stop and go valve 49, and thence is directed via the reduced portion 66 and annular groove 12 to a conduit 83 into the left hand end of the cylinder 36 to reciprocate the piston thereto. to the right. Fluid from the right hand end of the cylinder 36 is returned through conduit 13, annular groove H, reduced portion 51, annular groove 19, passage 59, reduced portion 48, annular groove 55, conduits 84 and. 85- to the sump.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the direction. of reciprocation of the feed piston 19 isreversed along with the reversal of direction of travel or the ram. 24 and in timed relationship therewith.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, the piston 19 reciprocates within the cylinder 18 and the amount of such reciprocation can be predetermined by adjustment of the hand wheel 99- connected with the threaded shaft 9| which protrudes into the end of the cylinder 78. The piston 19 is provided with a toothed rack 92 adapted to mesh with the teeth of apinion 93 keyed to a shaft 94. The shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing I 99 provided on the cross rail andis, of course, rotated to the left and right with the reciprocation of the piston 19. Attached to the shaft 94 is an overrunning clutch generally indicated at 95 to which is attached a first gear 95. While the shaft 94 rotates in two directions with the reciprocation of the piston I9, the overrunning clutch member 95 is so designed as' to impart a unidirectional rotation to the gear 95, the direction of which rotation may be predetermined. The clutch also permits the gear to rotate in the selected direction at a faster rate than the rotation of the shaft 94.

As is more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the overrunning clutch 95 comprises an octagonal fitting 9? attached to the shaft 94. Surrounding the fitting is a collar 99 having a plurality of bearing engaging means provided about its periphery, the bearing engaging means comprising,

in the embodiment shown, elongated slots 99. A pluralit of roller bearings I99 are held in a cage 16! which is resiliently secured to the collar 98 by means of a spring I04. The collar 99 is provided with a. projection I92 which is frictionally fitted on a tubular member 103 which is secured to the shaft 94. The position of the bearings I00 relative to the edges fi'ia of the hexagonal portion is determined by the position of the cage IOI, which may be rotatably adjusted as will be fully described hereafter.

With the cage H}! in the position shown in the overrunning clutch 95 in the lower portion of Fig. 6, it can be seen that rotation of the shaft 94 and hence the fitting 97 in a counterclockwise direction wedges the bearings I09 against the edges 97a and the portions 99 of the collar, thereby to carry the collar and hence the gear 96 in a similar counterclockwise rotation. If, however, force is applied to the gear to rotate it at a faster rate than the shaft 94, the spring I04 between the collar 98 and the cage IOI permits the bearings I to be drawn forward with respect to the octagonal fitting 91 so as to relieve the wedging action and permit the bearing engaging slots 99 to ride over the bearings. Likewise, rotation of the shaft 94 in a clockwise direction would impart no movement to the gear 90.

A rotation of the cage in a clockwise direction to the position of the cage in the overrunning clutch II8 shown in the upper portion of Fig. 6, sets up a reverse relationship between rotation of the gear and shaft, and in such position, clockwise rotation of the shaft is transmitted to the gear to cause its rotation in the same direction. Clutch H8 is of the same construction as clutch 95 and like parts have like numerals with the letter b added.

As previously described, the projection I02 has a frictional fit on the tubular member I03. An annularly grooved shifter collar III} is slidably mounted on the projection I02 and is traversed by a pin I08 which likewise extends through a longitudinal slot I in the projection I02 and a diagonal slot ID! in the tubular member I03. Sliding the shifter collar I I0 longitudinally of the shaft causes the pin I06 to engage the sides of the slots I05 and I01 and thereby rotate the projection I02 about the tube I03 so as to move the cage IOIb from the position shown in the upper portion of Fig. 6 to a reverse position (similar to that shown in the lower portion of Fig. 6 for cage IOI) thus reversing the driving direction of the clutch.

In the machine tool shown the reversal of both clutches is simultaneously effected by means of a lever I4I secured to a rod III which is pivotally mounted in the housing I40 and which may be pivoted by moving a hand lever II2, the lever I being provided at its ends with shifters I08 and I09 which engage the annular grooves in the collars H0 and H01) of the overrunning clutches 95 and H8 respectively. Pivoting the lever MI by use of the hand lever II2 moves the two collars simultaneously in opposite directions to reverse both clutches.

The gear 96 is in mesh with a second gear II3 mounted upon the shaft 3|. The gear II3 is.in turn in mesh with a third gear II4 mounted upon the shaft 30. Both gears II 3 and H4 are mounted for free rotation upon their respective shafts so as to be free to rotate without imparting that rotation to the shafts. Clutch means generally designated H5 is provided to clutch either of those gears to their respective shafts in order that rotation of the clutched gear will cause rotation of the shaft. A handle I I6 is provided for the actuation of the clutch means. The gear 96 is also in mesh with a fourth gear Ill mounted upon a second overrunning clutch member H8 which in turn is mounted upon a rotatably mounted shaft II9. A reversible electric motor I20 is adapted to rotate a shaft IZI and a worm I22 secured on the end of the shaft and meshing with a gear I23 attached to the shaft I I9.

such that after the direction of the overrunning clutches has been selected, slight upward movement of the handle makes an electrical contact which starts the electric motor I20 in the selected direction. 7 r

' As best seen in Figs. 2 and '4, the handle H2 18 connected to a member I24 pivotally mounted to the shaft III by means of the pin I38. The

handle is' permitted horizontal travel in a horizontal slot I32 and, at each end of that slot, is permitted vertical movement in vertical slots I33 and I34. Upward movement of the handle in slot I33 is adapted to cause the handle to actuate a first electrical switch I25 mounted on the interior of the casting I40 and connected in an electrical circuit including a source of current (not shown) and the motor I 20, to cause the motor I20 to operate in the desired direction. A second switch I25 positioned above the slot I34 is similarly connected in an electrical circuit and is adapted to be actuated by upward movement of the handle when positioned in slot I34 to cause the motor to operate in the reverse direction. A spring I30 serves to move the handle downwardl in the slots I33 and I34 when the handle is released by the operator.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that intermittent movement of the work carrying table can be achieved either in horizontal, that is, traverse, or vertical direction in timed relationship with the reciprocation of the ram and upon reciprocation of the ram in either direction. For example, shifting of the overrunning clutches to one operating direction by the handle I I2 and clutching gear I I3 to the shaft 3| by the handle II6 will cause intermittent horizontalmotion of the table upon, for example, the forward or cutting stroke of the ram. If at any time rapid horizontal motion of the table is desired, mere upward pressure on the handle II2 brings into operation the motor I20 to achieve such rapid movement. Similar motions in either direction may be had in the vertical plane by swinging handle H6 to a position clutching the gear II4 to the shaft 3t. The feed piston I9 is in constant operation with the operation of the device and continues such operation even though the electrical motor is being used for rapid movement. As soon as the handle H2 is released, breaking the electrical contact, the intermittent feed mechanism immediately takes over and continues to feed in the desired direction.

I claim:

1. In a hydraulic machine tool having a reciprocating cutting member and a work carrying table, mean for selectively imparting traverse and vertical feed and rapid motion to the table including, a hydraulic circuit, a piston and cylinder device interposed in said circuit, said piston being adapted to be reciprocate-d in said cylinder in timed relationship with the reciprocation of said member, a first shaft adapted to be rotated byreciprocation of said piston, a first gear on said shaft, an overrunning clutch interposed between said piston and aid gear to intermittently rotate said gear in a selected direction only, a first screw means adapted to'cause traverse motion of the table, a second screw means adapted to cause vertical motion of the table, a second gear mounted for free rotation on one of said screws and a third gear mounted for free rotation on the other of said screws, each of said gears being in mesh with another of said gears, clutch means for clutching either said second (1 ear or a d third ever.- to ts e c ive screw. eversible m t r s c nd; sh ft a a ted. n; be ro ated, brsa d; mo r, evens. q e r i a c utch ou ed n aid; ha ha in a fqurih gear attached thereto meshing with said first gear, and means for reversing the direction of rotation imparted to said first and fourth gear by said overrunning clutches.

2. In a hydraulic machine tool having a re,- ciprocating cutting member and a workcarrying table, means for selectively imparting traverse and vertical feed and rapid motion to. the table, including a hydraulic circuit, a piston and cylinder device interposed in said circuit, said piston being adapted to be reciprocated in aid cylinder in timed relationship with the recipro-v cation of said member, a firstshaft adapted to. rotated by reciprocation of said piston, a first gear on said shaft, an overrunning clutch interposed between said piston and said gear to intermittently rotate said gear in a chosen direction only, a first screw mean adapted to cause traverse motion of the table, a second screw means adapted to cause vertical motion of the table, a second gear mounted for free rotation on one of said screws and a third gear mounted for free rotation on the other of said screws, clutch means for clutching either said second gear or said third gear to its respective screw, a reversible motor, a second shaft adapted to be rotated by said niotor, a second overrunning clutch mounted on said shaft having a fourth gear attached thereto meshing with said first gear, means for reversing the direction of rotation imparted to said first and fourth gears by said overrunning clutches, and a manually operable handle movable in a first plane to select the direction of rotation imparted to said first and fourth gears by said overrunning clutches, said handle being movable in a second plane to cause said reversible motor to rotate said second shaft in said selected direction to eifect rapid motion of the table.

3. In a hydraulic machine tool havinga reciprocating cutting member and a work carrying table, means for selectively imparting traverse and vertical feed motion to the table, including a hydraulic circuit, a piston and cylinder device interposed in said circuit, said piston being adapted to be reciprocated in said cylinder in timed relationship with the reciprocation of said member, a first shaft adapted to be rotated in two directions by reciprocation of said piston, a first gear on said shaft, an overrunning clutch interposed between said piston and said gear to rotate said gear in a selected direction only, said overrunning clutch including a polygonal fitting at tached to the shaft, a collar surrounding the fitting and provided with hearing en aging means, a cage, a plurality of bearings in said cage and adapted to wedge against the edges of said polygon to lock the fitting to the collar, whereby rotation of the shaft is adapted to rotate said first gear in one direction, and means for rotating said cage to cause the bearings to wedge against the other edges of the polygon to reverse the direction of rotation of said gear, a first screw means adapted to cause traverse motion of the a a ond s r mean ad t d to use vertical motion of the table, a second gear mounted for free rotation on one of said screws and a third gear mounted for free rotation on the other of said screws, each of said gears being in mesh with another of said gears, and clutch means for clutching either said first gear or said second gear to its respective screw.

- Ir a-bv raulie mac ine t having a min: rocating cutting member, a work carrying table and a piston adapted to be reciprocated in timed relationship with reciprocation of the cutting membely means for-imparting motion to the table including, a shaft adapted to be rotated in two directions by reciprocation of said piston, an overrunning clutch mounted on said shaft, a gear mounted on said clutch and adapted to be intermittently rotated by the reciprocation of said piston, the direction of said rotation being selectable by operation of said overrunning clutch screwmeans adapted to move the table traversely and screw means adapted; to move the table vertically, clutch means for clutching either of said screw means to the gear, a reversible motor, a second gear in mesh with said first gear, and an overrunning clutch operatively interposed between said motor and said second gear, said motor being adapted. to rotate said second gear to cause rapid motion of said table,

5. In a hydraulic machine tool having a recip--v rocating cutting member, a work carrying table and a piston adapted to be reciprocated in timed relationship with reciprocation of the cutting member, means for imparting motion to the table including, a shaft adapted to be rotated in two directions by reciprocation of said piston, a rever-v sible overrunning clutch mounted on said shaft, a gear mounted on said clutch and adapted to be intermittently rotated by the reciprocation of said piston, the direction of said rotation being selectable by operation of said over-running clutch screw means adapted to move the table traversely and screw means adapted to move the table vertically, clutch means for clutching either of said screw means to the gear, a reversible motor, a second gear in mesh with said first gear, a reversible overrunning clutch operatively interposed between said motor and said second gear, said motor being adapted to rotate said second gear to cause rapid motion of said table, and a manually actuable handle being adapted to be moved in a first plane to reverse said overrunning clutches to select the direction of motion imparted to said gears thereby, said handle being movable in a second plane to cause said motor to operate in said selected direction.

6. In a hydraulic machine tool having a recipe rocatingcutting member and a work carrying table, means for imparting rapid motion and feed motion to the table including, a piston and cylinder device adapted to be constantly reciprocated in timed relationship with the reciprocation of the cutting member, gear means including a pluralityof intermeshing gears, an overrunning clutch interposed between said piston and cylinder device and said gear means to rotate said gears in a selected direction only in response to reciprocation of said piston, a screw means adapted to cause traverse motion of the table, and a second screw means adapted to cause vertical motion of the table, clutch means for clutching said gearmeans to either of said screw means to selectively transmit rotation of the gear means into traverse or vertical motion of the table, and a motor adapted to drive saidgear means to cause rapid motion of the table.

:7. In a hydraulic machine tool having a reciprocating cutting member and a work carrying table, means forselectively imparting to the table a feed motion or a rapid motion, comprising, a reciprocal drive operating in timed relation with said reciprocating cutting member, an independent rapid motion'drive, gear means actuatable by either of said drives to move the table, a selectively operable unidirectional drive means constantly connecting the reciprocal drivepfto the gear means and shiftable to a first condition imparting :rotation in one direction to the gear means and during only one phase of the reciprocating-cycle of the reciprocal drive and shiftable to a econd condition imparting rotation in the othe: direction to the gear means and during only theiother phase of said reciprocating cycle, means tor shifting the unidirectional drive means, and clutch means for clutching the rapid motion drive to the gear means whereby said rapid miition drive may actuate said gear means during any part of either reciprocatingi'cycle of said reciprocal drive.

8. In ahydraulic machine tool having a reciprocating cutting member and a workgfcarrying table, means for selectively imparting to the table a feed motion or a rapid motion, comprising, a reciprocal drive operating in tir'ned relation with said reciprocating cutting member, an independent rapid motion drive, gear means actuatable by either of, said drives to move the table, and overrunningffclutch means adapted to permit said reciprocal drive to actuate said gear means during only one phase of its reciprocating cycle and to permit sai d rapid motion drive to actuate said gear mean" during any part of said cycle. RUDOLPH E. HERRSTRUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED PATENTS 

